topic Re: Still Alice in Community Chat

Still Alice

Ringer2 — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 17:46:42 GMT

Began this last week and while it is depressing (how could it not be) it is very enlightening in seeing and experiencing the journey this person makes with Alzheimers and how it advances and effects Alice's life as well as those in her family.

Here is some information: Alice Howland is prod of the life she worked so hard to build. At 50 years old, she a cognitive psychology professor at Harvard and a world-renowned expert in linguistics with a successful husband and 3 grow children. When she becomes increasingly disoriented and forgetful, a tragic diagnosis changes her li8fe--and her relationship with her family and the world--forever.

At once beautiful and terrifying, Still Alice by Lisa Genova is a moving and vivid description of life withearly-onset Alzheimer's disease that is as compelling as A Beautiful Mind and as unforgettable as Ordinary People.

I am more than half way through this book and I cannot recommend it enough to those who want to be informed about this disease and what you can learn in reading this book.

(This is RINGER2) as QVC cannot unravel my issues trying to post under Ringer so whenever you see RINGER2 know that it is the "old" RINGER!!!)

Re: Still Alice

lovescats — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 18:05:14 GMT

I want to read it too there's a movie out with Julianne Moore and Alec Baldwin

Re: Still Alice

number one queen — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 18:56:30 GMT

I want to enjoy reading, not have another problem or disease to read, I already know I sound terrible, I took care of my mom and it is such a hard disease for the person to go through and their families. I want to escape and enjoy myself! This also goes for TV too.

Re: Still Alice

Ringer2 — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 01:55:45 GMT

On 1/12/2015 number one queen said: I want to enjoy reading, not have another problem or disease to read, I already know I sound terrible, I took care of my mom and it is such a hard disease for the person to go through and their families. I want to escape and enjoy myself! This also goes for TV too.

I totally understand your post with books and tv, but I think reading the book and maybe those having no idea how this effects families, it is a worthwhile read.

Re: Still Alice

Ringer2 — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 22:36:05 GMT

Just finished this book and toward the end I was crying the writing was so moving. I think it is important for people to read this as there is a stigma on dementia or Alzheimers and a point was made today on Kelly and Michael as there are ways to get research for HIV or mental illness (both or which are still misunderstood) but the people with HIV or forms of mental illness live and can speak to what they endure and how they need funding and help...since NO ONE HAS EVER COME BACK FROM DEMENTIA there appears to be less recognized. Please see this film or read the book as caretakers are so in need of respite etc and everyone needs to talk about this disease and face it head on!

Re: Still Alice

dawg lover — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 16:30:00 GMT

Love what you wrote, Ringer, and as someone whose mother is suffering from late-stage Alzheimer's, I agree so strongly that we need to increase awareness of this terrible disease. The book was very moving, and I plan to see the movie too, with plenty of tissues on hand!

Re: Still Alice

Chihuahualuv — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 07:11:13 GMT

I'm 80% finished with this book. It has helped me understand my late grandmother better. Also, I read "Left Neglected" which was written by this author. I highly recommend both books.

Re: Still Alice

NanciJ — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 22:51:15 GMT

I read a lot, thousands of pages every month. Still Alice is the first book in years, that has brought me to tears. For anyone who has ever searched for a word, during a conversation, the idea of Alzheimers is frightening. This book is so incredibly sad, and a must read for everyone.

Re: Still Alice

sunala — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 03:16:28 GMT

I read this when it first came out, and I still think of certain scenes. It is an excellent book that, although a novel, is based on the reality of Alzheimers.

I can't wait to see the movie. I've seen clips and it looks remarkable.

I didn't care for Lisa Genova's other book; Left Neglected. I didn't like the main character and found the book nowhere near as good as Still Alice.

Re: Still Alice

GusMo — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 06:58:51 GMT

I loved, loved this book. I thought It showed the emotions of the family beautifully. This is on my top 20 books!

Re: Still Alice

Pandalady — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 04:36:59 GMT

Thanks, Ringer2! I had come to the book forum tonight to ask if anyone had read this. I purchased it yesterday and look forward to reading it this weekend. My grandmother had Alzheimer's so I feel like I needed to read this. I do appreciate your review!Panda

Re: Still Alice

insomniac — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 09:57:32 GMT

On 1/12/2015 lovescats said: I want to read it too there's a movie out with Julianne Moore and Alec Baldwin

Julianne Moore won the Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Alice.

Re: Still Alice

qvcaddition — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 18:14:35 GMT

I don,t know but two people who had this disease, and both of them very successful and highly intelligent. Alice in the story the same. Is there a correlation to being very intelligent? Former President Ronald Regan died of same.

Re: Still Alice

glmama — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 20:33:23 GMT

I read it a few years ago in a book club and enjoyed it. Of course, sad subject matter, like so much else, but well written.

Re: Still Alice

beckyb1012 — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 23:53:08 GMT

I just finished a couple of days ago and I hurt so much for her. Not many books do that to me and I read a lot.

Re: Still Alice

Lilysmom — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 01:58:56 GMT

I lost my sister in her 50‘s to this disease. I cannot bring myself to read this book. The message you have about the need for respite for caregivers is so true. I pray that research makes progress in the treatment of this illness. My sister didn't know me for a long while. It was heartbreaking for our family. LM

Re: Still Alice

Honeybit — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 22:04:58 GMT

qvcaddition, I haven't seen any articles about the question you raise (whether intelligence and Alzheimer's have links). I recently heard that the woman who was valedictorian of our high school class died of the disease and just saw LoriLori's post that author Terry Pratchett also died of it last month. It's a heartbreaking diagnosis -- for the person and for the family -- I saw a special on PBS about Glen Campbell's song "I Won't Miss You."